Hungary Refuses to Dance to US Tune, Step Up Pressure on Russia – Reports

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has boasted that he has good relations with Vladimir Putin and opposes EU sanctions against Russia; he has also challenged the EU’s immigration policy and slammed George Soros for his alleged attempts to support illegal immigration to Hungary; none of this seems to be in line with US vision for European policy.

Viktor Orban is said to have told US diplomats that he wants to pursue a neutral foreign policy rather than bow to Washington’s demands.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Orban made the statement at a meeting with the US ambassador last month. He also pushed back US calls to tackle China’s alleged cyber espionage and support Ukraine in opposition to Russia, saying that he wants his country to be “neutral, like Austria”. Austria, like neighbouring Switzerland, is not a NATO member.

The PM is reportedly wooing China to invest in Hungary’s information infrastructure. He also allegedly opposes ministerial-level negotiations between NATO and Kiev due to his objections to Ukraine’s new education law, which Budapest claims has reduced the opportunity for the Hungarian minority in Western Ukraine to learn their mother tongue.

EU’s Juncker Slams Hungary’s Orban for Spreading ‘Fake News’

Orban’s officials were also quoted as saying that he wants Hungary to adhere to its NATO commitments and intends to ramp up the number of deployed troops.